City Council concerns over Sheldon Park development plans

By Maurice Garvey

PLANS by Sheldon Park Hotel to build 85 apartments beside their Kylemore business, have hit a slight planning snag, with Dublin City Council requesting one of the proposed blocks is omitted.

Arcourt Ltd – who trade as the Sheldon Park Hotel – submitted plans to demolish seven cottages (8-14) on the Old Naas Road and build three apartment blocks ranging from four to six storeys.

A number of objections have been lodged by residents, who cite the historical value of cottages which date from 1908, and concerns about the proposed height of the development and traffic implications.

Dublin City Council have asked the applicants to submit six copies of additional planning information.

The planning authority are concerned regarding the “relationship between the proposed development and one half of an existing pair of cottages, and the proximity between proposed Block C and adjoining residential property.”

Planners have called for the “omission of Block C until the relationship between Block C and number seven Old Naas Road and Bluebell Mews can be improved.”

Additional information is also sought for an “appropriate flood risk impact assessment”, and the provision of “adequate public open space.”

According to planners, if the subject site cannot provide 10 per cent for public open space, the applicant is requested to contact Dublin City Council, to agree a “suitable contribution in lieu of the non provision of public open space.”

Plans contain proposals for two six storey buildings – Block A comprising 48 units (12 one-bed and 36 two-bed units), and Block B (six one-bed, 11 two-bed and 12 three-bed units).

DCC have requested the omission of the four storey Block C (eight two-bed units).

In 2015, An Bord Pleanála and Dublin City Council rejected plans by Arcourt for a four-storey 33 apart-hotel suite development at the same location – citing the “scale and height” of the project and “historical value” of cottages.